TRENTON, N.J. – Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill announced Tuesday, January 6, 2026, that Kris Kolluri, president and chief executive officer of NJ TRANSIT, will continue in that role while also being nominated as executive director of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, placing both of the state’s largest transportation agencies under a single leader.
Sherrill said the dual appointment is intended to improve coordination between transit and highway systems, reduce bureaucratic silos and modernize how people move throughout the state. Kolluri will oversee day-to-day operations at both agencies and will receive a $1 salary from the Turnpike Authority, according to the announcement.
“We need a collaborative and creative approach when it comes to addressing challenges and opportunities affecting our state, which is especially true as we update New Jersey’s approach to transit,” Sherrill said in a statement. “Kris Kolluri brings decades of experience with every major transit agency in the region, and his leadership will be key as we rethink the future of transportation in New Jersey.”
Sherrill also cited preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will bring tens of thousands of visitors to the region, saying Kolluri’s leadership will help ensure safety and efficiency across buses, trains and highways.
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Kolluri said overseeing both agencies will allow New Jersey to better prepare for large-scale events while improving everyday service for commuters.
“New Jersey’s success relies on the Turnpike and NJ TRANSIT working together,” Kolluri said. “By overseeing both agencies, particularly for a major security event like the World Cup, I’ll be able to ensure we eliminate silos and provide better service to residents and visitors alike.”
Fran O’Connor, commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, praised the appointment and thanked outgoing Turnpike Authority Executive Director Jim Carone for more than four decades of service.
“With an event as large as the World Cup coming to our state, New Jersey needs strong leadership that can streamline oversight and communication,” O’Connor said. “Kris brings decades of experience and will be able to make real-time decisions to ensure efficiency and public safety.”
Kolluri was appointed president and CEO of NJ TRANSIT effective Jan. 16, 2025. He leads the nation’s largest statewide public transportation system, which employs more than 11,000 people and provides nearly 945,000 weekday trips across bus, rail, light rail and paratransit services.
Previously, Kolluri served as chief executive officer of the Gateway Development Commission, overseeing the $16.1 billion Hudson Tunnel Project. During his tenure, the project secured the largest federal investment ever made in a mass transit project and began construction on the first new heavy rail tunnels under the Hudson River in more than a century.
His career also includes serving as New Jersey transportation commissioner from 2006 to 2008, chief executive officer of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority, and head of several higher education and community development organizations. Earlier in his career, Kolluri worked for more than a decade on Capitol Hill, including as a senior policy adviser to former House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt.
Kolluri holds a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and a law degree from Georgetown University.